All sophomores will take the PLAN exam on Wednesday, December 7, with Thursday December 8 as a makeup date.  The PLAN is a test designed especially for sophomores to predict their future success on the ACT.  The PLAN can be thought of as the ACT's version of the PSAT. However, the PLAN, unlike the PSAT for juniors, is not a "high-stakes" test.  No scholarship money or recognition is tied to a student's performance on the PLAN.  It is simply an opportunity to practice for the ACT.

Traditionally, the ACT has been popular in the Midwest and Great Plains states as a college entrance exam, whereas the SAT has been popular on the East and West Coasts.  Today, every college in America that requires the submission of a college entrance exam will accept either the SAT or the ACT.  Because the tests are different in subject matter and design, some students do relatively better on one or the other and it is to students' advantage to take both exams at least once. 

This year the state of North Carolina will pay for all juniors take the ACT in March.  The juniors may use the scores from this ACT exam to apply for college.  It is anticipated that the state will pay for an ACT exam for all juniors next year as well. 

The PLAN consists of four sections which are each scored from 1 to 32.  Each student will also receive a composite score of 1 to 32.  The subjects tested, the number of questions per section and their allotted times are below:

English, 50 questions (30 Usage/Mechanics, 20 Rhetorical Skills) = 30 minutes
Math, 40 questions (22 Pre-Algebra/Algebra, 18 Geometry) = 40 minutes
Reading, 25 questions = 20 minutes
Science Reasoning, 30 questions = 25 minutes

In order to do their best on the PLAN, students should get a good night's sleep the night before and eat a healthy breakfast.  Mrs. Crum and Mr. Miller will be happy to meet with students and/or parents to discuss the PLAN further when results come back.